Ballina Stephenites through to knockout stages after home win against Balla

Mayo Senior Football Championship

Ballina Stephenites 3-14

Balla 1-8

In Ballina

County champions Ballina Stephenites are through to the championship knockout stages after accounting for Balla with twelve points to spare this evening. 

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Stephenites, but their class shone through in a dominant second half where they held their stubborn guests to 1-2. 

The hosts got off to a great start when Luke Doherty fisted the ball into the net after David Dolan spilled a point attempt in the fifth minute. 

Balla remained in contention with Colm Murphy and Gary McHale sharing five frees between them as they made life hard for the Stephenites up front. 

Jude Clarke gave Balla a brief lead with their only point from play in the first half - a lead that was cancelled out by a free from the excellent Frank Irwin, who buried a goal in the net shortly afterwards. 

Although they got a cracking early goal through Gary McHale, Balla were much less penetrative up front after half-time. 

Through powerful displays from Frank Irwin, Mikey Murray and Luke Doherty, Ballina Stephenites pushed ahead before Luke Feeney played in Doherty to palm in their third goal during the last ten minutes. 

The hosts won out comfortably in the end and have secured their place in the knockout stages with two wins from two. 

Winless Balla and Mayo Gaels will be playing solely for local bragging rights in the third round. 

A full report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News Sport.